Oddly Enough

Aug 5, 2014 | 01:59

Sperm extractor helps patients overcome embarrassment

A Chinese company says its automatic sperm extractor is helping clinics collect semen from donors reluctant to masturbate in a hospital setting. The Jiangsu Sanwe Medical Science and Technology Center says their device, which has been sold to clinics in the US, Germany, Russia and France, simulates the temperature and feel of the female sexual organ, and is the most user friendly way of collecting samples for sperm donation or for those needing fertility advice. Jim Drury reports.

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A Chinese company says its automatic sperm extractor is helping clinics collect semen from donors reluctant to masturbate in a hospital setting. The Jiangsu Sanwe Medical Science and Technology Center says their device, which has been sold to clinics in the US, Germany, Russia and France, simulates the temperature and feel of the female sexual organ, and is the most user friendly way of collecting samples for sperm donation or for those needing fertility advice. Jim Drury reports.
STORY:
UPSOT: MACHINE
This unusual machine aims to take the embarrassment out of sperm donation.
Called the Sperm Extactor, it was devised by Ding Guijiang, chairman of China's Jiangsu Sanwe Medical Science and Technology Center.
SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) INVENTOR OF SPERM EXTRACTOR, CHAIRMAN OF JIANGSU SANWE MEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., DING GUIJIANG SAYING:
"Hospitals mostly use masturbation as their collection method, without providing a venue or equipment. This makes collecting sperm on the spot very difficult. In order to meet clinical demands, we invented this automatic sperm extractor, which is also user friendly."
UPSOT: MACHINE
The machine is equipped with a massage pipe that resembles a vagina. Its height is adjustable, while its speed, force and temperature can be varied.
SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) INVENTOR OF SPERM EXTRACTOR, CHAIRMAN OF JIANGSU SANWE MEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., DING GUIJIANG SAYING:
"First of all, it simulates a female organ...and replicates the physical movements of sexual intercourse by moving back and forth. It's able to, by a huge extent, provide comprehensive coverage and pressure."
The machine has also proved useful for urological patients at Shanghai Pudong Hospital, who are unable to produce sperm without a great deal of help. Dr Li Siming says it's an efficient way to maximise the amount and quality of sperm collected, but says there's still room for improvement.
SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) DOCTOR OF UROLOGICAL CONSULTATION AT SHANGHAI PUDONG HOSPITAL, LI SIMING SAYING:
"This device is far more efficient than masturbation, but there are still some weaknesses. For instance it cannot exactly simulate the temperature and feel of a female organ. Also, the device may not fit as well when compared to human beings. After all, it is made out of plastic and metal."
Jiangsu Sanwe sells around 10,000 of the devices annually, at 13,000 US dollars each. It's been bought by clinics in the US, Germany, Russia and France.
Some may laugh at the concept, but Ding Guijiang insists his device is removing the stigma from sperm donation and providing a valuable medical service.

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